Filipe Lopo graduated from the International Hotel Management program at Les Roches Marbella in 2009 and started his final internship with the emblematic Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon in his home country of Portugal. Filipe’s hotel management education at Les Roches, combined with Four Seasons Hotels’ renown Manager in Training (MIT) program, provided him the foundation he would need to develop a successful career in international hospitality.
After his experience studying at Les Roches Marbella Filipe was well-prepared to start at the bottom and work his way up during Four Seasons’ 12-month MIT program. He saw the opportunity at Hotel Ritz Lisbon as a way to consolidate his knowledge and experience in a high-end luxurious operation. According to Felipe, five months after starting as a SPA receptionist he joined the MIT program where he received extensive exposure in all departments related to Front and Back of House operations. This would serve as a confidence booster when it came time for him to move on to his next position.
Following Four Seasons’ MIT program, Filipe’s passion for travelling and a chance encounter with the former General Manager of Villa Magna Madrid led him to an interview with COMO Hotels & Resorts. COMO offered him a unique opportunity at their luxurious resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands and soon he was on his way to the Caribbean. For two years Filipe would lead the Front Office Department at COMO’s 1,000 acre private island resort. Thanks to the hotel’s team, they earned the number one ranking on the Conde Naste Traveller Readers Award Top 100 Hotels Worldwide. He describes his island experience as an “once in a lifetime experience”.
Eventually, Filipe took a position as Operations Manager at a new property within COMO Hotels & Resorts in Miami. COMO’s Metropolitan Miami Beach is a 74 room boutique hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of Miami Beach’s historic district. Upon joining the newly formed management team at the Metropolitan, Felipe explained that they were tasked with accomplishing in one year what would normally take four. Not only did they meet the objectives, they also became number one in Trip Advisor ratings two years in a row. Additionally, the hard work and success of the team at the Metropolitan Hotel earned the property the distinctions of Best Urban Hotel by Wallpaper Magazine and the only American hotel to make Conde Naste’s Gold List. Speaking of his position as Operations Manager, Filipe said, “Miami gave me the management experience that a leader must have in order to be successful. This was the best professional learning experience so far.”
From Miami Beach, Filipe followed the Metropolitan Hotel’s General Manager to another new COMO resort – Echo Beach in Bali. In Bali he took on the position as Executive Assistant Manager at what will soon be the company’s largest property when it opens in summer 2017. Situated on the Island’s south coast, the area is becoming a popular surf scene for its carefree mood and long rolling waves.
Filipe himself describes his career in hospitality up to this point as “living the dream”. He is extremely happy to be leading a team of more than 350 staff members at the age of 28 in advance of the opening this year of COMO Echo Beach. In his own words he says, “I am truly grateful of my learning experience in Les Roches Marbella. The school provided me core skills and helped me to develop a strong work ethic that will help ensure my continued success”.
